University of Tennessee Arboretum Society Archives

UT Arboretum Society has New Year’s Hike on Tuesday

Posted at 5:47 pm December 30, 2018
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University of Tennessee Arboretum hike in Oak Ridge (Submitted photo)

Do you get overloaded on football, food, and festivities on the first day of the new year? The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society is offering a great alternative, a press release said: the Fifth Annual New Year’s Hike at the UT Arboretum.

The hike will be at the Arboretum, which is at 901 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge, on Tuesday, January 1, 2019.

At 10 a.m. the group will leave for a guided hike that will last about 45 minutes. The hike will follow a forest trail and will visit the Elmore Holly Collection. [Read more…]

Turtle expert to be featured at UT Arboretum Society dinner, community event

Posted at 3:10 pm September 27, 2018
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George L. Heinrich with an adult male alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) in Harris County, Texas. (Photograph by Jordan Gray)

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society is offering two opportunities to hear renowned turtle expert George L. Heinrich in October as part of a nationwide speaking tour. Heinrich is executive director and co-founder of the Florida Turtle Conservation Trust.

The first opportunity to hear him speak will be at the UT Arboretum Society’s Annual Membership Dinner and Silent Auction. It’s scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. Monday, October 15, at Calhoun’s Event Center at 100 Melton Lake Peninsula in Oak Ridge. Heinrich will be the featured speaker. The public is welcome to attend, and the cost is $30 for members and $35 for non-members of the UT Arboretum Society, a press release said.

Reservations are required for the dinner. To reserve a place or for more information on the annual dinner and silent auction, call Pat Row at (865) 482-9096 or send her an email at [email protected]. Credit cards, cash, or checks will be accepted at the door, the press release said.

“Come enjoy an evening of great food, an interesting presentation, and silent auction,” the press release said. [Read more…]

UT Arboretum Society hosts Butterfly Festival on Saturday

Posted at 5:18 pm August 3, 2018
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Photo courtesy University of Tennessee Arboretum Society

Everyone interested in both butterflies and beautiful landscapes is invited to attend the Butterfly Festival hosted by the University of Tennessee Arboretum Society, a press release said. The family-friendly event is scheduled for Saturday, August 4, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event will host various speakers and activities for adults and children.

Monarch butterflies will be released at noon from the patio and yard outside the auditorium. Butterflies are available for purchase at $10 each. You can claim your butterfly with your claim ticket at 11:45 a.m., the press release said.

The festival will host a wide variety of activities for children. Each activity requires a ticket to participate, and you can purchase tickets for $1. There will also be different food vendors, as well as artisans at the event. [Read more…]

UT Arboretum Society has monthly hike on Saturday

Posted at 12:24 pm June 14, 2018
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Photo courtesy University of Tennessee Arboretum Society

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society’s monthly hike for June will be held Saturday, June 16, at the UT Arboretum on South Illinois Avenue. The hike is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. Saturday.

“The weather is warm, and this is a great time to spend outdoors,” a press release said. “Learn about the UT Arboretum’s trails on this short trail hike (1 to 1.5 hours).”

This hike will be held outdoors and will be led by a volunteer familiar with the Arboretum and the trail system, the press release said. [Read more…]

UT Arboretum Society has MOTH-er’s Night Out tonight

Posted at 10:50 am June 9, 2018
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Images submitted by UT Arboretum Society

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society will sponsor the popular MOTH-er’s Night Out program to learn about moths and other nocturnal insects today (Saturday, June 9). The event is scheduled from 8 to 10 p.m. at the UT Arboretum Visitors Center, which is located at 901 South Illinois Avenue (State Route 62) in Oak Ridge.

“Have you ever wondered about what kind of insects are out hunting and eating while you sleep snugly in your bed at night?” a press release said. “Come learn about these fascinating creatures with naturalist Kris Light. Why should you spend a Saturday night learning about moths? Moths are one of the most diverse species on earth with more than 11,000 moth species in the United States alone! Their colors and patterns make them masters of camouflage. Moths are both important pollinators and a food source for other animals. After an introductory program in the Visitors Center, we will venture outdoors to check our moth attraction sheets to observe the insects that have been attracted by the black lights.”

Organizers recommend you bring a camera, your friends, and your kids, “as well as a magnifying glass, a flashlight, and a desire to learn about these fascinating critters! Bring your mother too!”

The free program is appropriate for all ages.

Five reasons to see Einstein Simplified on Sunday

Posted at 12:33 pm May 4, 2018
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The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society offered five reasons to see the Einstein Simplified improvisational comedy group at the UT Arboretum in Oak Ridge on Sunday, May 6, 2018. It’s a fundraiser for the UT Arboretum Society.(Submitted photo)

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society offered five reasons to see the Einstein Simplified improvisational comedy group in Oak Ridge on Sunday. It’s a fundraiser for the UT Arboretum Society.

Here are the five reasons to see the show, the UT Arboretum Society said: [Read more…]

UT Arboretum Society has spring wildflower walk on Saturday

Posted at 11:58 am May 4, 2018
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The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society will have a meet and greet followed by a spring wildflower walk at Haw Ridge Park on Saturday, May 5, 2018. Kris Light, an expert naturalist, educator, and photographer, will lead this fun, educational, and easy walk, a press release said. (Submitted photo)

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society will have a meet and greet followed by a spring wildflower walk on Saturday, May 5.

It’s scheduled from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Haw Ridge Park on Edgemoor Road in Oak Ridge. The parking lot is at the west end of the park. The walk is free and open to the public. Kris Light, an expert naturalist, educator, and photographer, will lead this fun, educational, and easy walk, a press release said. [Read more…]

UT Arboretum Society has plant sale this weekend

Posted at 2:56 pm April 18, 2018
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University of Tennessee Arboretum Society Spring Plant Sale (Submitted Photo)

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society will have a spring plant sale this weekend that will gather the best of four local nurseries in one location.

The public sale, the 51st Annual Spring Plant Sale, will be held on Saturday, April 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the UT Arboretum at 901 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge. The “Members Only” sale will be on Friday evening, April 20 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Memberships may be purchased at that time for this “early bird” shopping opportunity, a press release said.

“By joining UTAS on Friday night, people can enjoy the membership benefit of having the first pick of our beautiful selection of plants, some of which sell out that evening,” the press release said.

Checks, cash, and credit cards will be accepted. [Read more…]

Comedy group Einstein Simplified at UT Arboretum for May 6 fundraiser

Posted at 11:49 pm March 13, 2018
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Einstein Simplified

Enjoy an early Mother’s Day with comedy group Einstein Simplified

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society again presents an evening of laughter and live improvisational comedy with Einstein Simplified during a fundraiser on Sunday, May 6.

The fundraiser is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. May 6 at the UT Arboretum on South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge.

“Come enjoy the fun as this well-known Knoxville area comedy improv group entertains us with original, unrehearsed improv,” a press release said. “If you like ‘Second City’ and ‘Saturday Night Live,’ this show is for you! Given today’s roller coaster political climate, we expect a very funny show. Don’t miss it!”

Due to popular demand in 2017, the group is returning to the Arboretum for the second year, the press release said. [Read more…]

UT Arboretum Society has Father-Daughter Hike this month

Posted at 12:28 pm February 9, 2018
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The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society’s monthly hike for February will be held Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, at the UT Arboretum on South Illinois Avenue. (Photo courtesy University of Tennessee Arboretum Society)

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society’s monthly hike for February will be held Saturday, February 17, at the UT Arboretum on South Illinois Avenue. The hike is scheduled to start at 9 a.m.

In 2018, the UT Arboretum Society is offering a monthly hike on the third Saturday of each month. For the ninth year, the Arboretum is showcasing the February hike as the Father-Daughter Hike, but everyone, regardless of age, is welcome on this hike, a press release said.

“We encourage grandfathers to bring their granddaughters, uncles to bring their nieces, older brothers to bring their young sisters, etc.,” the press release said. “This is a great winter occasion to spend some quality time outdoors and to learn about the UT Arboretum’s trails. We’re all tired of the cold weather, so why not come out an enjoy some exercise?”

This is a short trail hike (one to 1.5 hours), the press release said. [Read more…]

UT Arboretum, Tennessee Bluebird societies have two programs on bluebirds this month

Posted at 2:55 pm February 4, 2018
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Learn about bluebirds and their environments

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society and the Tennessee Bluebird Society will present two programs on bluebirding this month, a press release said.

A program titled “Bluebirding Basics” will be held on Tuesday, February 6, from 7 to 8 p.m. at Roane State Community College, Oak Ridge campus, Goff Room 104.

A second program, “Bluebird Nest Box Trail Monitoring Training,” will be held on Thursday, February 15, at Roane State Community College, Oak Ridge campus, from 7 to 8 p.m., City Room.

If you are interested in bluebirds or want to learn more about them, you are invited to attend these free programs, the press release said. [Read more…]

UT Arboretum Society has New Year’s Walk on Jan. 1

Posted at 10:27 pm December 20, 2017
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The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society has its Fourth Annual New Year’s Walk at the UT Arboretum at 901 S. Illinois Ave. in Oak Ridge on Monday, Jan. 1, 2018. (Photo by UT Arboretum Society)

If you are overloaded on football, food, and festivities, the University of Tennessee Arboretum Society is offering a great alternative: The Fourth Annual New Year’s Walk at the UT Arboretum on Monday, January 1, 2018.

The arboretum is at 901 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge.

“Start out the year on the ‘right foot’ by joining the walk that begins at 9:30 a.m. at the UT Arboretum Auditorium, where you will be greeted by fellow hikers and offered coffee, hot chocolate, and snacks,” a press release said. “At 10 a.m. the group will leave for a guided walk that will last about 45 minutes. The hike will follow a forest trail and will visit the Elmore Holly Collection, giving participants the opportunity to see the hollies still covered with berries.

“This is an easy walk on the trails and is suitable for all ages. The Arboretum Society encourages everyone to come out to enjoy an outdoor respite before heading home to watch the bowl games on TV.”

This is a free program offered by the University of Tennessee Arboretum Society. [Read more…]